Alhambra library makes technology and space improvements

Alhambra Civic Center Library Director Carmen Hernandez presented Monday to City Council changes and accomplishments at the library on 1st and Main streets.

Since staff approved the plan in Feb. 2012, they have created an Alhambra Teens Facebook page, created more study space in the teen area, installed a library-wide P.A. system, and expanded a volunteer recognition program, according to Hernandez.

The library also saw technology improvements, including a new e-newsletter to communicate with library patrons, a re-designed webpage to include library programs, and upgraded public PCs. However, the staff has used caution in utilizing more technology, said Hernandez. “A lot of the things we need to look at to be fiscally responsible to the community is whether the technology is something that’s going to be here to stay or here today and gone tomorrow," she said. "That’s the tricky part, what do we implement and what don’t we implement.”

Library staff and volunteers create and update a set of goals — modeled after the city's Strategic Plan — every six months. Library staff will hold in October its next planning session to set goals for the next six months.

Staff will present Strategic Plan progress again in October and update the goals in November. Upcoming goals include developing a mobile app for businesses to pay commercial trash bills, leasing vacant stores along Main Street, and developing a plan to create a creative district for sports entertainment and future development.

Weren't able to attend the meeting? You can watch it here. City Council usually meets every second and fourth Monday of the month on the second floor of City Hall: 111 S. First St., Alhambra, Calif., 91801. The next regular meeting will be on Sept. 22 at 5:30 p.m.